Tuesday, September 12 2006 12:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kingston: World 100m record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica has pulled out of next weekend's 100m sprint at the 10th IAAF World Cup event in Athens but will run on a relay, his manager announced here Monday (11 Sep, 2006).

Powell was selected as the Americas representative in the men's 100m but according to Paul Doyle, his manager, the 'World's Fastest Man' is halted from competing in the event by his coach, Stephen Francis.

"It was the coach's decision to pull him out," Doyle says. "We made it long ago."

Doyle says there are two main reasons behind the decision not to participate in the team event, primarily dealing with his busy 2006 season and with plans for next year.

"He has a long season and is tired and we want to make sure that is going to be ready for a long 2007 season," Doyle says.

Powell has run 12 100m races of less than 10 seconds this season, including twice equalling his world record of 9.77 seconds. He will also have a very busy 2007 campaign, including the World Championships to be staged in Japan.

Powell, who ran 9.89 seconds to win the 100m at Saturday's (9 Sep, 2006) IAAF World Athletics Final, will compete in a relay at the World Cup.

"He still wants to run the relay. He wants to represent the region," Doyle confirms.

Powell will join countrymen Michael Frater, the World Championships silver medallist, Dwight Thomas and Ainsley Waugh plus Trinidadian Marc Burns on the Americas sprint relay team.

Powell will conclude his 2006 season in Japan on September 24.